GV 
489 



Class 

Book_..„_aA[?l_ 
Gopi§ht}J"_ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



4 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

BEING VOLUME TWO OF THE 

TREE OF LIFE 

LIBRARY. 



CONTAINING 
PROFESSOR WATKINS' 
CONDENSED SYSTEM 

OF 

PHYSICAL CULTURE 

THE MOST UNIQUE AND INGENUOUS 
ARRANGEMENT OF PHYSICAL CULTURE MOVEMENTS 
EVER FORMULATED BY THE SKILLFUL AND 
SCIENTIFIC INVENTION OF MAN 



DESIGNED FOR 

FAMILY DRILLS 

PARLOR CLUBS 

GENERAL CLASSES 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

PRIVATE PRACTICE. 



PUBLISHED KT ^ 

J. A. WATKINS 
Minneapolis, Minn. 



PRICE $2.00 



"tH'F LiRRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
'■'•vo Copies RecsivED 

AUG. 2^^' 1902 

^ Copyright entry 

cIasS O-^XXc. No. 
h l=> I % 

COPY 8. 



Copyrighted by j. a. watkins, 
June 19G2. 

All rights reserved- 



PREFACE 



During more than five years in the professional work of Physical 
Culture teaching, the author has observed a great need of an enticing, 
and yet a safe and scientific system of physical culture that can be 
adapted to Home practice. He hopes the system of exercises arranged 
in this little volume will supply that need. 

The many blessings derivable from a course of scientific physical 
culture training are too numerous to mention. The world at large, and 
especially the more intelligent portion of it, realizes the fact that physi- 
cal culture when taken intelligently, is the best mean of preserving the 
health, and also the greatest adjunct in restoring health when once it 
is lost. :. 

Universities, colleges, and public schools Tl..oughout the country 
are adopting physical culture as a means of health preservation and 
development, and ere long it will be considered the most important 
branch in the institutions of learning. It will not be long before the 
weak and delicate will be sent to school to make them strong, instead 
of being kept out, as now, because of delicate health. 

The true object of physical culture is now, and always will be, 
health. The effort of some teachers to make an athletic man of a men- 
tal man, is rediculous in the extreme. If such a thing was possible, it 
would not be advisable, for it is better to remain, every one, in his own 
inherited temperament. The author does not claim that this system 
will develop large and powerful muscles in a person of the nervous 
temperament, but he does claim that the exercises of this volume will 
give an all-round balanced musc ular activity, and that this will give good 
health in so far as that blessing can be had ti:rough the Law of Activity. 
There are other Natural Laws that govern human life which must be 
observed before perfect health is possible. 

If there is any doubt in your mind as to the efficacy of physical 
cultura in improving the health, spend two months in the practice of 
this arrangement of exercises. You will need no other argument. 

J. A. WATKINS. 



TO MY MOTHER, WHO IS A QUEEN 
AMONG WOMEN, THIS LITTLE VOLUME 
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. 



INTRODUCTORY 



"I believe that the Laws of Nature, which 
are the angels of the Most High, and obey 
His mandates, are rolling on the time when 
*the child shall die an hundred years old' 
(Isa. Ixv. 20) when sickness shall fade from 
the world, and with it the sins of the soul." 

IN THE BEGINNING, 
<Tod covered Himself-with the spangled vestments of the heavens and 
drew from out the boundless deep the forces that rule the lives and hearts 
■of men; and those forces in the form of Natural Laws, which represent 
the Will of the Most High, govern all life that dwells on this mundane 
sphere. Before man was, Life was; before Life was. Law was; before 
Law was, was God. God was the first Great Cause; Natural Laws the 
secondary cause; Life and man the result. 

A great cloud of darkness o'er shadows the world and man gropes 
-around in uncertainty. This cloud has a superstitious lining and fabric 
woven of ignorance; and "nothing clouds men's minds like ignorance." 
Before the human race can take a step forward in the process of evolu- 
tion, man must assume a mental attitude that will force an advancement. 
We must discard the old teachings which have led us to believe that 
we are ruled by some abrupt deity who jerks a man hence without form 
or ceremony, and that Natural Laws play no part in the incident. The 
man who believed yesterday and is doubting to-day, is advancing; but 
the man who obstinately holds to the old ideas and teachings cannot 
possibly advance beyond the source of such teachings; he at best remains 
stationary. 



10 THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

We must accept the universal fact that "what ever is, is natural". 
When we can recognize the fact that there is a natural cause for every 
effect; that everything in nature has an immediate natural cause pre- 
ceeding it; when we can see that health and strength are the results of 
natural causes; that disease and death are the results of natural causes, 
that everything that is, is natural, then we begin to assume a mental 
position that will give us an opportunity to puncture the cloud of dark- 
ness that o'er shadows the world, and let in the sun-lit rays of intelli- 
gence. ■ , ' 

The so-called freaks and miracles in nature are the results of Nat- 
ural Laws, and under the same operation of these Laws the same freaks 
and miracles would re-appear; and under a continued repetition of the 
same operations the same freaks and miracles would become our com- 
mon things, and the common things of to-day, would, if sufficiently 
scarce, become freaks under different conditions. God rules the 
world in the greatest as well as in the least, through Natural Laws, and 
everythnig He does is done in an orderly and natural manner; and with 
the same forces that have ruled through the centuries. 

The author of this little volume believes that there are twelve Nat- 
ural Lav/s that govern all life on this planet - - yes, in the universe - - 
and that when we live in harmony with them we must necessarily get 
desirable or harmonious results; and when we get out of harmony, un- 
desirable results follow; but it is the same Laws that yield the results, 
whether they be harmonious, or not. When one strikes certain notes 
on the piano harmonious sounds are the result, but when other notes, 
or combinations, are struck, disagreeable discords are the result; but 
both the harmonious and discordant sounds are produced by the seven 
notes of the musical scale. And so with the Natural Laws; it depends 
on the combinations, whether harmonious or discordant results, whether 
health or disease. What the Natural Laws are is partially known by 
every one, and they are more or less unconsciously observed by all life. 
Animals observe them through instinct, and it is claimed that man's 
sommon sense should tell him when he is going wrong, but evidently 
it do is not, for he boasts of good health more, and has less of it, than 
an}^ other life on earth. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



II 



So far as the writer knows there is nowhere published a systema- 
tized arrangement of the Natural Laws. Therefore he intends publish- 
ing such an arrangement in a series of volumes to be known as the 
TREE OF LIFE Library. There are health clubs, hundred year clubs, 
heallh departriiencs, healtli officers, health institutions and organizations 
galore throughout the land, but when you get into their teachings one 
generally finds ''fads" promulgated by "cranks" and other objection- 
able features, and then they are not at ail comprehensive 

Fads are always useful to the fact gatherer, but as containing any- 
thing valuable within itself, a fad is never safe. There is some thing 
good in every fad, so-called, but it generally takes some oneotherthan 
its promulgator to make it valuable to mankind. When you see a num- 
ber of people following up a line of tliought you can rest assured 
they are after a truth. When a boy, the writer remembers seeing a 
number of dogs surrounding a brush pile and on investigation, found a 
rabbit hidden therein. Another time he saw a number of hogs -in a field 
with their heads immerged in the ground. Upon the surface he could 
see nothing, but on investigation found they were in a potato patch. 
So in his observations among mankind: wherever he has found a num- 
ber of people after a fad, he has found on investigation that they were 
near a truth. It is true that when they saw it they could not see 
another truth not associated with it. People do not become inter- 
ested in any line of thought unless there is a truth somewhere near. 

Truth is eternal; and the author came to the conclusion a number 
of years ago that Truth was all that was worth striving for; that truths 
and facts in nature were safe within themselves and that they needed no 
one to defend them, and that he would accept them, it made no differ- 
ence who were after them, nor from what source they came. With this 
mental condition controlling him he has culled from the realms of na- 
ture and pages of science many truths and facts that are of untold value 
to mankind. These will appear from time to time as conditions per- 
mit of them being published. A few appear in this little volume. 
There will be at least twelve volumes, each devoted to one of the 
Natural Laws, as is this one. What those Laws are may be found un- 
der the next heading. 



12 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



TREE OF LIFE 



the midst of the street of it, 
and on either side of the river, 
was there the TREE OF LIFE, 
which bare twelve manner of fruits, 
and yielded her fruit every month; 
and the leaves of the tree, 
were for the healing of the nations." Rev. xxii. 



WHEN GOD MADE ADAM, 
Or such first of human kind as may be understood by that name, and 
placed him in the garden of Eden, it was not long- before he was seek- 
ing knowlege. It seems from the narrative in Genesis that Adam's curi- 
osity got the upper hand of him, and he partook of fruit forbidden him. 
And when the Lord was calling around to see how the new man and 
woman were getting along. He discovered what had been done, "And 
the Lord said, Behold, the man has become as one of us, to know good 
and evil; and now lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the Tree 
of Life, and eat, and live forever; therefore the Lord God sent him forth 
from the garden of Eden ***** ^^i^ jje placed at the east of the 
garden of Eden Cherubims and a flaming sword which turned every 
way to keep the way of 1 he Tree of Life." 

That there is a source of everlasting life is clearly indicated in the 
Lord's statement concerning the protection of the Tree of Life. He 
said that if Adam should get hold of the fruit of this tree that he would 
live forever. Now no person believes for a moment that the eating of 
actual fruit was the sin committed; but on the other hand they know 
that it was the violation of a Law - - a Natural Law - - that caused the 
downfall of man. It will be one of the aims of the Tree of Life library 
to sliQw, under two Natural Laws, that man not only fell once, but that 
he tumbled twice, and that so far, he has never been able to rise above 
his fallen position. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



Revelations clearly state that this Tree of Life, which would have 
enabled Adam to have lived forever, will be revealed to man, and that 
it will yield its twelve manner of fruits and the leaves from this tree 
will be for the healing of the nations ; and man shall live forever. Many 
men of many minds through the ages of the past, have been hunting 
for this fountain of life, but they have been looking for a real tree - - a 
material thing. It cannot be; matter is not life, though matter may be 
alive. "Life is in the Law" and has no source in material things. The 
best that matter can do is to catch the vital spark, and hold it for a 
season; and in this thought lies the hope of keeping a human body alive 
forever. As the vital spark wanes in the human body, it must be im- 
mediately repliiieshed, else the soul begins preparing for its depart- 
ure. Beyond a doubt the vital spark can be kept aglow indefinitely, if 
we can only know how to operate the Law that will give that result. 

Whether perpetual life on this planet is desirable or not, is not 
within the province of this volume to examine, but there is a strong 
indication that it is from the fact that no person in the full use of all 
his faculties is ready and willing to shake off his earthly environments 
and take a plunge into the sepulchral abyss. It is true that we hear 
from the quivering lips of those who are being forced into the great 
beyond that they are willing to go, but it is only after a life and death 
struggle with the grim monster, when any change would seemingly 
afford relief. 

Perpetual health is desired by all whether perpetual life isornot. 
While we remain on earth we all desire that our functions and faculties 
be in the best usable condition. Every person can retain each function 
and faculty in a healthy condition if one only knows how to operate the 
Law that gives such results. The only plausable excuse for sickness 
now is ignorance or indifference; but no one likes to offer these, so to 
lay the blame somewhere else rather than take it upon himself, man 
burdens Providence with it, or throws it over on the shoulders of fate. 
If we could only understand what the Tree of Life is, indifference 
then would then be the only excuse for sickness. 



.14 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



Wbat the Tree of Life is, ai the present time is a matter of conjec- 
ture, opinion or belief. The author's opinion is that it is the twelve Nat- 
ura^ Laws yielding their results in the great panorama of Nature. The 
Natural Laws being the branches ispringing from the great trunk of 
the Tree, which is the Will of God; the results being the fruits, and the 
leaves are rules for applying the Natural Laws to get their fruits or 
results. If this interpretation be correct, then there is a possibility of us 
getting hold of the key to perpetual life. It may be found in tlio 
following Natural Laws: 

MENTALITY LIGHT SUBSTANCE 

ACTIVITY . OXYGEN JiVlPULSE 

REPOSE VITALITY GRAVITY 

SUB-CONSCIOUSNESS ENERGY HEAT. 

"Life is in the Law." The Law is not life; Life is a rebult,and 
oomes through the Law. "Law" here meaning the Will of God, the 
Tree of Life, or the division of the Law into the twelve above named 
Natural Laws. If God should relax His Will for a moment, or annul 
either of the above named Laws, the Life of the universe would be de- 
stroyed in the twinkling of an eye. Suppose the Law of Gravity should 
cease operations for an hour? 

This little volume is devoted to the Law of Activity; and the rules 
herein given for applying that Law are under the heading of "Leaves". 
The Leaves from the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations; or 
the rules for applying the Natural Laws are for the healing of nations. 
In this work they are supposed to mean one and the same thing. They 
are rules for getting the fruit from the Tree of Life ; or rules for obtain- 
ing desirable results from the Law of Activity. 

God is the ar chitect of your body; Natural Laws the builder; and 
you are its caretaker. How well are you attending to your duty? 

You are quite near the perennial Tree of Life. Put forth your 
and hand take freely of the fruits of this Tree; it is for the healing of 
the nations. 



THE tAW OF. A'CTIVITY 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



"Better hunt in fields for health unbought, 
Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught. 
The wise for cure on exercise depend, 
God never made his work for man to mend." 



There is one thing man cares but little for when he has it, and yet 
."vf ill give his all for it if he hasn't it, and that is health. Health is the 
first wealth, and yet it is not human nature to persevere in the main- 
rtainance of it. Ingersol said that if he was making the world, he would 
:"make health catching, instead of disease." He did not observe very 
-closely or the great orator wonld have discovered that health is far more 
r"catching" than disease is. We are more in harmony with Natural 
'Laws than we are at discord with them, and therefore we have more 
. harmonious results than discordant conditions. Health indicates har- 
anony; sickness denotes discord There is a great deal of discord in 
the world but there is more harmony; more health, than disease; 
more virtue, than vice. 

Exercise in some form or another is recognized by everybody as 
being absolutely necessary for health. The ignorant and uninformed 
do not know any difference between a scientific system of physical 
culture and the work and drudgery of daily toil; it is all exercise with 
them. But the educated are cognizant of the fact that there is a great 
difference in the many systems of physical culture that are being intro- 
duced throughout the country. They recognize the importance and 
value of a balanced arrangement of movements that will enable them 
to take sufficient exercise in as limited a time as possible, without any 
danger of ill effects. It goes without saying that the author believes 
that his is the best condensed system of exercises to be found. 

It is not deemed necessary to inter into a defense of this, or any 
^other, system of exercises for the reason that this book is not likely to 
fall into the hands of those needing education along this line. However 
the descriptions, rules, advices, suggestions, remarks, and so on, under 



i6 THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

the rather unique caption of ''Leaves", will give the uninformed a 
general idea of the value of physical culture. 

The Law of Activity to-day is applied in physical culture, osteop- 
othy, massage, games, sports, out-door recreations, work, the every-day 
duties of life, and in various other ways. All of these are used in 
restoring health a: d maintaining it. Our rules for understandings 
and applying the Law of A -tivity appear under the following Leaves; 

2 LEAF 101 T 

GOD WORKS THROUGH NATURAL LAWS HIS WON- 
DERS TO PERFORM. 

This is d.ffer 'iit from^' God moves in a mysterious way His wonders 
to perform." There is nothing mysterious in God's ways except that 
our ignorance makes it so. Wo speak of the new discoveries and in- 
ventions as being mysterious and 's\onderful; but they are not so when 
we become intelligent. Think of tne telephones, telegraph. Roentgen 
rays, wireless teelgraphy, and many other inventions of recent date. 
They all seem mysterious until we understand them; and so with the 
works of God. 

2 LEAF 102 I 

THE LEAVES FROM THE TREE OF LIFE ARE FOR THE 
HEALING OF THE NATIONS. 

In the not far distant future those who wail upon the sick and the 
afflicted will be known fis NATURE doctors, because they will apply 
the Laws of Nature more, and drug< l^ss. They will use twelve parts 
common sense to one part drugs, instead of twelve parts drugs to one 
of common sense, as is the practice to-day. is a Natural Law 

that deals exclusively with matter (Substanr here is only one 

such Law and eleven others, it seems that a c »roportions at 

least would be valuable as an experiment. ±c interesting to 

find out how«far that Law can be used in the cure ot ise. 



*Leaves numoered from 1 to 100 appear in the Law of Mentality. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 17 



3 LEAF 103? 

LIFE BEGINS IN ACTION, CONTINUES IN ACTION 
AND ENDS IN ACTION. 

Our earthly existance begins with a kick and a cry ; it continues in 
a hustle and a tussle; and ends with a struggle and a groan. From the 
cradle to the grave, life is one continuous action, varied in degrees only. 
The healthy person, other Laws being equally observed, is the one who has 
a balanced daily activity. This means that one part is not too active and 
some other ]3art not sufficiently active, but all parts equally exercised. 

2 LEAF 104 r 

ACTIVITY AND REPOSE ARE ASSOCIATE LAWS. 
In sleep the body is active in its smaller actions; such as the heart 
beat, breathing, blood circulation, and so on. In the most vigorous 
exercise, the body in some of its parts is reposing; the heart takes a 
rest between each pulsation. The largest actions are associated with 
Repose, and the dead-sleep is accompanied by more or less activity. 
They blend into one. 

J LEAF 105 I 

IN NATURE, ACTIVITY IS ALWAYS J OLLOWED BY 

REPOSE. 

Wj see this Leaf applied every Jay. Take tho child at play: it 
is very active until a certain condition is reached in the body, and then 
it falls asleep. The same is true of man, and all animal life. It is not 
possible for any living thing to keep up the larger activities indefinitelv. 
All life must make use of the Law of Repose. Even a piece of machin- 
ery will last longer if given rest. On an average, man should be active 
sixteen hours, and 'Se eight. Your daily habits should be ei^l t 
hours work; eigi ' the care, culture, and training of the bo'ly 

and mind; and s in sound slumber - - complete Repose. In 

physical eul^ g, the best results come from exercising two 

minutes and ' g one, during the hour's drill. 



ig' THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

3 LEAF 106 I 

A PERIOD OF PHYSICAL CULTURE TRAINING SHOULD 
BE FOLLOWED BY A PERIOD OF REST. 

My experience has proven conclusively that a person should not 
keep up physical culture exercises all the time; but should take periods 
of training followed by periods of rest. The periods of training may 
be during the months of October and November, and again in March 
and April. The other months, desist from the exercises. But in order 
to apply this Leaf successfully it is necessasy to be active in the every 
day duties of life, or otherwise. The proportions of Activity and Re- 
pose are reversed under this Leaf. 

2 LEAF 107 I 

DURING A PER'IOD OF PHYSICAL CULTURE TRAINING 
AN HOUR'S EXTRA SLEEP SHOULD BE TAKEN. 

This Leaf will hold good any time during life when there is an 
extra muscular tax made upon the body. When it is taxed more than 
usual, an extra amount of sleep should be had so as to give the recuper- 
ative forces of the body time to make complete repairs. The best 
results from a course of physical culture training will not come unless 
the hour of extra sleep is taken. It may be taken at noon. 

3 LEAF 108? 

THE BEST BUILDING MATERIAL SHOULD BE EATEN 
DURING A COURSE OF PHYSICAL CULTURE TRAINING. 

Food is building material, and nothing more. Diiferent materials 
have different values in the construction of a house; and so the many 
kinds of foods have various values in re-building the body. The best 
foods should be selected at all times, and especially during a course of 
physical training. A list of those foods will appear in the Law of Sub- 
stance, volume nine, of the Tree of Life library. Building Material 
should be the name of that volume, but the effort has been made to 
have the books bear a one-word name only. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 19 

1 LEAF 109? 

AN ACTIVE BODY DIES IN PART, AND IS REBUILT 
IN PART EVERY DAY. 

Every movement that a muscle makes breaks down the oldest and 
weakest tissues in the part moved. The blood carries its building ma- 
terial to the moved parts and immediately repairs the broken-down 
tissues. The tissues die in both the active and inactive person: but 
in the former the exercise removes them before they die ; while in the 
latter they die and remain a part of the structure, forming an unburied 
corpse. The latter people furnish food for germs, and fees for the 
doctors. 

2 LEAF 110 r 

DISEASE GERMS ARE SCAVENGERS. 

Germs are the friends of the human race the same as the larger 
scavengers - - the vultures, buzzards, crows, coyottes - - are in the 
animal world. Scavengers do not eat live animals, and neither do dis- 
ease germs eat living tissues; both feed on dead matter; one on dead 
animal carcasses, the other on dead tissues in the human body. 

In order to maintain health it is absolutely necessary to remove 
the dead tissues from the body as they die. The Law of Activity will 
do this, and germs will also, after they have accumulated in quantity. 
But at present it is not a good plan to use the germs; though we all 
have seen many a delicate person after being cleaned out by disease 
germs, re-bound into vigorous health. That would be the result follow- 
ing every spell of sickness, if it was not for the deadly drugs taken. In 
time it may be that germs will be made to serve the purpose of remov- 
ing the dead tissues from the body; but at present they endanger life. 
The germs themselves never make sick and kill; it is the excreta f. oin 
the bowels of the germ-life that poisons and destroys. It may be that 
science will discover an antidote for this poison, and then it will be 
safe to inocuLate with germs for cleansing purposes. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




LEAF 111 



INWARD CLEANLINESS IS MORE NECESSARY FOR 
HEALTH THAN OUTWARD CLEANLINESS. 



If yon will observe the illustrations on the opposite page you will 
see the force of this Leaf. The illustrations show a clean neart, an un- 
clean heart, and kidneys covered with dead tissues and other impurities » 
All the disease germs in Christendom could not affect the clean heart, 
but, only one germ emplanted in the dead matter on the other organs, 
and dis-ease and sickness would follow, and perhaps death; for the en- 
tire structure of the unclean organs is composed largely of dead tissues, 
and the germs would eat out all the dead matter before they left it, if 
it destroyed the life. A balanced activity would keep the healthy heart 
in that condition for ages if the other Laws were equally observed; but 
a few years of inactivity would cause it to be covered with dead tissues 
like the unclean organs represent. 

In the condition of the unhealthy organs, a oalanced system of ex- 
ercises practiced for a few months would cause the blood to v,'ash all 
the impurities from those organs and they would likewise be rebuilt of 
new tissues producing the same condition that is represented by the 
healthy heart. One of the leading physical culturists of the country 
speaks of exercising as taking an inward-bath, because in exercising 
the blood rushes to the part exercised, washes out the dead tissues and 
re-builds the part a-new. Can you see the importance oi a balanced 
system of physical cultuie".-" 

Water will keep the surface of the body clean, but it takes the 
Law of Activity applied through a balanced system of exescises to keep 
the inner parts clean. It makes no difference how strong the vitality, 
if any part of the body contains an accumulation of dead tissues and 
disease germs g^t located therei.i, sickness is sure to follow; the kind 
of sickness depending on the kind of germs. The vitality may be weak, 
but so long as the body does not contain an accumulation of dead tis- 
sues, disease is impossible. Disease germs are scavengers; they feed on 
dead tissues and impurities in the human body. 



22 



THE LAW OF ACTIMTY 



1 LEAF 112 I 

THE VITAL ORGANS SHOULD BE CARRIED AT THEIR 
HIGHEST ELEVATION. 

This Leaf is taken from the Law of Gravity and placed herein 
because the best results cannot be obtained from a course of physical 
culture training without observing the principle involved. The stomach 
liver, heart, lungs and the whole internal viscera, are carried two or three 
inches below their most healthful position. Under all manner of exer- 
cises the vital organs should be carried at their highest elevation, for 
they cannot properly perform their fund ions when prolapsed or disten- 
ded three or four inches. It generally takes personal instructions to 
help the student get the correct idea contained in this Leaf, and to be 
able to control the muscles and ligaments that support and sustain the 
vital organs; but it can be understood by the careful student from the 
following explanation: 

The chest frame should be raised, and held in the raised position; 
the abdominal muscles are contracted, making the abdomen smaller; 
the vital organs are drawn higher into the chest frame and held there, 
while the breathing is carried on with the diaphragm. That elevated 
position should be maintained at all times, except when applying 
some of the Leaves from the Law of Repose. 

As a m -ans to an end, raise the chest to its highest position, then 
lower it, shoving out the abdomen. This gives the lowest and most 
elevated positions of the chest. This movement when practiced as an 
exercise, makes a splendid stomach pump; but the habit should be form- 
ed of carrying the chest and vital organs at their highest position. This 
position of the vital organs should always be taken before beginning 
each one of the exercises. The shoulders should be kept down, and 
not thrown back, nor raised. 

There is no physical defect so common as the downward crrriage 
of the vital organs; and their strength decreases in proportion as they 
descend. When they are at their highest altitude, the heart beats with 
a more perfect rythm, the lungs want more air, the stomach f-ecntes 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 23 

more of the digestive fluids, the liver is drained more quickly of its 
poisons, the peristaltic waves move the refuse from the stomacbon more 
rapidly through the intestines, and the whole internal machinery takes 
on a larger and healthier activity. When the vital organs are at their 
Mghest elevation, the body takes on a more graceful poise and bearing; 
the chest loses its flat condition; the stooping shoulders are no more; 
the back and krees are straightened, and the whole body takes on the 
exalted condition the Great Architect intended. 

2 LEAF 113 r 

HARMONIOUS SOUNDS CREATE VITALITY. 

Music has a wonderful effect on the nervous system. It sets the 
nerve centres to vibrating and this draws vitality from out the general 
fund and concentrates it in the nerve ganglia. It would take too much 
space to tell why this Leaf is true, and it will have to sufiice in mere- 
I7 ;i^i^i:ig attention to the fact. However the way to find the juice 
of this Leaf is to s[)end half an hour in these exercises where there is a 
number with you and a good pianist to accompany the drill. It makes 
no differene how tired you are, it will expel all weariness and produce 
a re-invigorated condition of the body. Try it just before retiring at 
night and you will appreciate the refreshing sleep that follows. 

For the best results, it is absolutely necessary to have music ac- 
company the drills, bat the same spirit inherent in the music must also 
exist in the exercise. While this arrangement may not be perfect in 
this respect, it is sufiiciently near it to give complete satisfaction. Have 
your family, or friends, with you in your parlor, or else where, and a 
good pianist to accompay your drills. Never take the exercises alone 
except as a last resort While you can get benefit from practicing alone, 
yet I am convinced from several years teaching, that the best sesults 
cannot be obtained in private practice. It is work and drudgery pri- 
vately, while with numbers it is culture and training. There is inspira- 
tion, enthusiasm, magnetism and vitality in numbers; and when thev are 
in the poetry of motion and accompanied by music it becomes electrical! 

We will now enter the drills. 



24 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




i LEAF 114 f 

EXPLANATION: Stand with heels together, raise the body on 
the toes; from this position, separate the heels on count one, and on 
count two bring them together; repeat thirty-two times. 

REMARKS: This is a most excellent exercise for the feet, ankles 
and lower part of the legs. If troubled with cold feet; or if there is a 
lack of symetrical developement from the knees down, practice this ex- 
ercise faithfully, and the undesired conditions will soon leave. An ex- 
cellent variation is had by bringing the heels to the floor as they come 
together; then have them go upward and outward as they separate. If 
practicing with music, a "count'* means an accent, or measure, of the 
music. After y ou have learned how to take the exercises correctly, 
it will be no trouble to adapt the movements to the music. All the 
exercises should be taken vigorousl and rapidly. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



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26 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION: Stand erect, chest well raised, heels together, 
hands on the waist with thumbs forward; from this position, lower the 
body until you sit on the heels, on count one ; on count two return to 
erect position. The results are similar to that of the preyious exercise 

REMARKS: A most excellent variation is had by sitting on 
count one, return to erect position on count two; but on count three^ 
step forward with left foot, and back to erect position on count four; on 
count five step to the left, on count six return to starting position; on 
count seven step back on the left foot, and count eight return to position. 
Next eight counts repeat, but using right foot. When stepping for- 
ward, extend arms in front parallel with each other; when to the left 
extend arms laterally on a level with the shoulders; when stepping 
backward, raise the arms over head keeping them parallel. 



28 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




2 LEAF 116 f 

EXPLANATION: Stand erect, heels together, raise the arms 
until they are directly over the shoulders; from this position, bend for- 
ward at the hips and waist and at the same time bringing the arms for- 
ward endeavoring to touch the toes with tips of the fingers, on count 
one; return to erect position on count two. Repeat thirty-two times. 

REMARKS: An excellent variation is had by advancing the left 
foot to the left oblique front, and endeavor to touch the floor at each 
side of the foot. Do not bend the knees in either position. Use half 
the music in this position; then change to the right foot advanced ob- 
liquely. This will be liable to cause lameness unless you are used to 
an all-round muscular activity; therefore do not take it the full num- 
ber of times at first. It is a most excellent exercise for the waist 
and back, and for disorders of the stomach and bowels. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



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EXPLANTION: Stand, advance the left foot to the left oblique 
front about eighteen inches, place the hands upon the waist with fin- 
gers forward and thumbs back; facing directly over the left foot. From 
this position, on count one bend obliquely forward over the left foot, 
bending at waist and hips as far as the body will go. On count two 
bend right oblique backward as far as the body will go. Repeat six- 
teen times, then change to the right foot advanced. 

REMARKS: As you bend forward toward the left foot, press in 
firmly under the short ribs with the left hand, and you will make an 
excellent stomach exercise of it. When the movement is to the right 
oblique front, press in firmly with the right hand a.nd you will make a 
"liveT- soueezer" of it. This is one of the very best exercises for the 
stomach, liver and intestines. 



32 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION: Stand erect, place the hands on the lower 
part of the sides of the chest; fingers and thumbs forward, and the el- 
bows brought around forward as far as possible making a strong lever- 
age. On counts one, two, three and four, exhale and at the same time 
crushing in the sides of the chest as much as possible; on next four 
counts, inhale and expand the lower part of chest as much as possible. 

REMARKS: An excellent variation is had by placing the hands 
on the upper front chest, and practice in the same manner. This is 
one of the most valuable exercises of the entire system. Many people 
can add three or four inches to the chest expansion in as many months 
by faithfully practicing the breathing exercises. The results will sur- 
prise any one. Practice the other breathing exercises given herein in 
connection with this one. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION: Stand erect, chest well raised, fists clinched 
and together directly over head with arms straight. On count one 
bring the fists down latterly until they strike the body at the hips; on 
count two, carry them back to position over head. Repeat thirty -two 
times. 

REMARKS: This is a very pretty exercise in class drills, and 
exceedingly invigorating. It should be taken with all the speed and 
energy possible; making it very vigorous. It will soon fill out the 
hollows that are about the shoulders, neck and upper parts of the chest, 
if practiced in connection with the pipe-stem exercises given herein. 
Care should be taken at first practices, else lameness is sure to follow, 
and there is nothing to be gained from lameness. The music should be 
p layed slowly at first, and gradually increased. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




2 LEAF 120 I 

EXPLANATION: Stand erect, raise the arm laterally on a level 
with the shoulder, clinch the fist firmly. On count one, twist the arm 
forward until the back of fist is toward the floor; on count two twist 
the arm backwaids as far as it will go. Repeat thirty-two times, and 
change to the other arm. Then use both arms together; one going for- 
ward while the other moves backward. 

REMARKS: In taking this exercise the muscles in the arm shou 
be held very firm and tense throughout the exercise. Extreme vva./. 
ness can be produced in the arms with this exercise that will attract in 
large quantities the best nutrition of the blood. If practiced faithfully 
it will develope the arms and give symmetry to those parts. It also 
benefits the shoulders, for it is impossible to use one set of muscles 
without exciting tJiose next them. 



38 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




2 LEAF 121 I 

EXPLANATION: Stand erect with chest well raised; bring the 
hands together in front and give them a vigorous slap, on count one; on 
count two, bring them together behind the body giving them another 
vigorous slap; and so continue for sixty-four counts. This Leaf should 
be taken with music, and the music should be played slowly at first, 
gradually increasing until it takes a great effort to keep up with it. 

REMARKS: Another splendid movement is had by opening the 
fingers out widely as possible, and then clinch the fists firmly. Repeat 
until the muscles refuse to move because of weariness. Many peo- 
ple have cold hands, and when you get hold of them in the hand-shake, 
one receives a sensation which is more akin to death, than life. Cold 
hands are very unattractive because they are the result of an unhealthy 
condition. That condition can be removed with this Leaf. 



40 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




3 LEAF 122 T 

EXPLANATION: Stand with the chest well raised; let theiiei.v 
drop forward until the chin comes quite near the chest. In this posi- 
tion tense the neck muscles and on counts one, two, and three, carry the 
head back until it almost touches the back, keeping the neck muscles 
tense all the time the head is moving backward; relax the muscles and 
bring the head forward on the fourth count, and repeat sixteen times. 

REMARKS: This is the most powerful neck exercises known to 
legitimate physical culture. It will strengthen the neck and throat 
quicker than any exercise known. If troubled with weakness and 
colds in the throat, practice this exercise. Be careful in beginning the 
practice; after the muscles are used to the new tax on them, it will in 
nearly all eases overcome any weakness in the throat, and it is one of 
the best exercises for strengthening the voice. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




1 LEAF 123 I 

EXPLANATION: Stand, extend the arm latterally on a height 
with the shoulder, and make the index hand. In this position, make 
small circles about six inches in diameter, with the whole arm moving 
from the shoulder. Repeat with right arm; then make the circles with 
both arms going at the same time. Variation: clinched fists raised to 
height of the chin; revolve one around the other; reverse the direction. 

REMARKS: Speed, when free from any strain or jerkiness, is a 
valuable Leaf to make use of in applying the Law of Activity. The 
greatest possible speed must be used in this exercise, else it falls flat. 
Make the whole body shake and vibrate with the tremendous speed 
and energy you put into the small circles. It is a most powerful exer- 
cise when the greatest possible speed is used. The music helps to de» 
velop the spirit of the movement. 



44 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




3 LEAF 124 f 

EXPLANATION: Stand, advance the left foot to the left ob- 
lique front, rise on the toes and at the same time grasping with tne 
hands an imaginary bell-cord. On count one step back and pull down 
until the hands come as low as the knees; on count two return to ad- 
vanced position. Repeat sixteen times, then change to right position. 

REMARKS: This exercise is an imitation of ringing the bell. 
It is not necessary to have a rope to get hold of, for the more artistic 
one becomes in taking an exercise the less apparatus is needed. The 
clumsy, crude, awkward person needs all the help obtainable from ap- 
paratus in taking any exercise; but the artist is handicapped by it; he 
needs no assitance. Enter into it with a spirit of the realistic, remem- 
bering that a careless student rarely ever grasps the essential idea of 
anything. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



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THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION: Stand, extend the left foot back, keeping the 
foot clear of the floor and the knee straight. On counts one and two, 
make two little jumps on the right foot; on counts three and four, the 
the right foot goes forward and th3 left foot comes to the floor making 
two little jumps. When the lel't foot is back, bend the body forward; 
when the right is forward, bend the body back as far as possible. 

REMARKS: This is known in gymnasiums as the "rocking horse" 
or the '^rocking run." It is very interesting; but should not b ? prac- 
ticed by those with weak hearts. Interesting variations are made by 
going around the hall in couples, or single file; or forming aline of six, 
three facing one way aud three facing the other, having hands on one 
anothers shoulders, making a wheel as they go around; or a column of 
«ight or more going forward sixteen counts, then return backwards. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



47 




THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION: Stand erect \vith chest well raised, extend 
the arms It terally on a level with the shouldeis. On count one, bend to 
the left at the waist only; on count two bend to the right, keeping the 
arms straight as a beam. Repe'Bt thirty-two times. 

REMARKS: All movements that bring into action parts about the 
waist and al clcmen are especially beneficial. Thtse muscles aie raiely 
ever sufficiently used to produce the best health of the stomach and 
intestines. Tliis exercise may be varied by making circles bending 
at the waist. Bend first to the left, then to the front, then back, and 
to the right, making a, complete circle. Make four circles going each 
direction. All the exercises that bring into action the muscles about 
the waist help to overcome a^.y weakness associated with the diges- 
tive apparatus. 



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THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




2 LEAF 127 f 

EXPLANATION: Stand erect and chest well raised, enter-lace 
the fingers and bring the hands firmly together, hands and elbows on a 
level with the shoulders. From this position, on count one bring the 
hands back to the chest without letting the hands separate, and on 
count two return to the front position. Repeat thirty-two times. 

REMARKS: This exercise wiil do mor^ to overcome a flat chest 
a-nd stooping shoulders than any other single exercise known. It is 
especially good for elevating the chest; but to get the best results an 
effort should be made to raise the chest and meet the hands as they come 
towards the chest. It is a difficult exercise, but should be mastered by 
all. The results from faithfully practicing this exercise will pleasantly 
surprise any one who is inclined to stoop. Pay strict attention to the 
details of this exercise. 



,2 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION: Stand, raise the left hand directly over the 
shoulder, keeping the arm straight; from this position, bring the arm 
down to the side; but when the hand begins its downward course 
begin tensing the muscles in the arm and hand until the arm comes 
to a level with the shoulder; then relax the muscles from that point tc 
the hand's lowest position. Now reverse the direction of the exercise; 
when the arm starts up, begin the tensing and continue until on a level 
with the shoulder; then gradually relax until the hand reaches its ze- 
nith position The greatest tension is when the arm is on a level with 
the shoulder, in either going up or coming down. 

REMARKS: This is the best. The careless student will see 
nothing of special value in it, but the earnest practicer will. Speed and 
Energy a])plied through the Law of Activity beget Vitalitv. 



54 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




2 LEAF 129 I 

EXPLANATION: Stand, step back with the left foot and at the 
same time clinching the fist. On count one, step forward on the left foot 
and strike an imaginary antagonist; return to back position on count 
two. Repeat sixteen times, then quickly change the position for strik- 
ing with the right fist. 

REMARKS: This exercise is an imitatiom of striking a blow with 
the fist, and we often speak of it in class drills as the "John Sullivan" 
exercise. It is not necessary to have a bag or man to punch to get sat- 
isfactory results. The clumsy and awkward need apparatus to astist 
them, but not so with the artist in physical culture. Make the move- 
ments free from roughness and jerkiness, yet vigorous and strong. 
All roughess, jerkiness, straining, and heavy lifting, injure the nervous 
system, and should be avoided by all who would have the best health. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

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56 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION: Stand, advance the left foot to the left oblique 
front, grasp with the hands an imaginary pick-handle and raise it over 
head. From this position, on count one dig down; on count two return 
to position. Repeat sixteen times, then change to the right-handed pos- 
sition. 

REMARKS: If it was possible for one exercise alone to give the 
body an all-round muscular activity, this one would do it; but such a 
thing is impossible. And for this reason, a large variety of movements 
should be practiced. Any one kind of work or exercise will make the 
body stiff, awkward and unhealthy, if done exclusively. This exercise 
is an imitation of the pick, and it is a most excellent one too. In tak- 
ing it, lower the hands until they come within about eight inches of the 
floor. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION : Stand, advance the left foot to the front, reach 
forward and grasp with the hands imaginary oar handles; on count one 
pull backward and shift the weight of the body to the right foot, but 
keeping the same foot position. On count two, return to forward posi- 
tion. Repeat sixteen times; then change to right foot advanced. 

REMARKS: An interesting variation is had by sitting on fou- 
counts, rowing eight counts, and getting up the next four; then repeat 
sitting to the other side. On count one let the left knee go to the floor, 
count two left hand goes to the floor, count three the body sits on the 
floor, and count four the hands are clasped on the knees; then on count 
five the rowing begins. Rowing is considered one of the best exercises 
biit the imitation is equally good, if not better. Make it vigorous by 
puUi ig hard when the weight is being shifted backwards. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 59 

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THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLA.N ATiON: Place the left knee on the floor and encline 
the body backwards as far as it will go; extend the arms in front and 
parallel, with palms downward; from this position, on count one move 
the body forward until it rests on the knee, and at the same time 
moving the arms back keeping them straight and the palms facing the 
floor; on count two return to starting position. Repeat sixteen times, 
then change to the right knee on the floor. 

REMARKS: This makes a valuable and interesting exercise. It 
should be begun lightly at first else it may cause lameness; andso witk 
all the exercises in this system. Far better results come from the course 
of training where the muscular system gradually adapts itself to the 
new and larger activity. Do not take the full number of movements 
at first nor do not take them vigorously. 



62 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION: Stand, enier-lace the fingers and place the 
hands back of the n'eck, fill the lungs full and hold. On counts one, 
two, three and four, slowly rise on the toes tensing the whole body; 
counts five, six, seven and eight, slowly relax exhaling and bringing the 
heels to the floor. Repeat eight times. 

REMARKS: This exercise has a wonderful effect on the whole 
nervous system, if performed correctly. Nature compels all animal life 
to take this exercise in the form of a stretch ; and the life Impulse com- 
pels mankind to take the same in some form or another. We may learn 
valuable lessons by observing the habits of animals. These tensing ex- 
orcises arouso the nerve centres and send the blood with a thrill to parts 
,S3ldo:n used. They are among the best means of improving the gen- 
eral health. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 



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64 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




2 LEAF 134 I 

EXPLANATION: Stand, extend the arms to the front and on a 
level with the shoulders. On counts one, two, and three, gradually 
tense the fists bringmg them back to the shoulders; then on the fourth 
count relax the tension and return the hands to the front position, and 
repeat sixteen times. 

REMARKS: Variations may be had by raising the hands to the 
zenith position; up front jDosition; down front, down lateral, up lateral, 
and the obliques. This is one of the best vitalizing exercises known, 
and if practiced five minutes three tim.es a day after each meal, in the 
fresh air, it will vv'ork wonders in restoring a weakened vitality. Get 
fresh air, plenty wliolesome food, eight hours sleep, and practice this 
exercise as indicated, and the results w^i.l l)e most beneficial. Practice 
it in connection with th(^ other tensing exercises. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 65 

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K66 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




2 LEAF 135 I 

EXPLANATION: Stand, advance the left foot to left oblique 
front, bring the hands to the chest and the same time filling the lungs 
fall. On counts one, two, three and four, slowly rise on the toes shov- 
ing up and out with the left fist and down and back with the right, ten- 
sing the whole body. The next four counts slowly relax and return to 
position; repeat five times, then change to the other side. 

REMARKS: I have often observed a great improvement in the 
health of pupils wlio have faithfully practiced the tensing exercises. 
One who was a nervous wreck gained twelve pounds in seven weeks. 
The doctors had had her under three rest spells (Repose) trying to get 
her vitality strong enough to undergo an operation. She gained twenty 
pounds in three months, and left the class in ])erfect health. Observe 
carefullv the details of all the nerve exercises. 












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68 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPl- ANATION: SLand erect; on count one let the neck mus- 
cles relax and the head drop forward, on count two let the shoulders 
and chest muscles relax and those parts drop forwaid; on count three 
let the waist muscles relax and the body drop forward from the waist; 
on count four the knee muscles relax and the whole body drops to the 
knees. On the next four counts return to position; first energizing the 
knees, then the waist, chest and shoulders, and the neck. 

REMARKS: Relaxation, rest - ~ the Law of Repose - - is as nec- 
essary to the life of the body as is the Law of Activity. You should 
master this exercise, not for the activity it affords, but for its devitaliz- 
ing effects. Learn to relax and rest; learn to stop the expenditure of 
energy by removing all tension from the muscles; learn to "let go" 
any part of the body \ ou choose. 



1 

THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 




EXPLANATION; This is the run. The music is exactly suited 
to the run around the hall ; but it may be taken in different forms, such 
as the stationary run, backward run, and others. 

REMARKS: Great care should be taken by those with weak hearts. 
It is one of the best exercises for strengthening that organ, but great 
care must be taken not to over tax it. Go very gently at first and notice 
that the breathing is not hard, and that the heart does not "flutter." 
Those who have strong hearts will find one of the best means of rapidly 
building up the vitality is to run from fifty to a hundred yards with all 
the speed possible. It is best to take four weeks practice before making 
the greatest effort, then keep it up daily for four weeks; then take the 
period of rest and watch the vitality increase. It will surprise any one 
who will go through the practice. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

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72 TrlE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

2 LEAF 138? 

THE CHIEF EFFORT AT MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT 
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE TORSO. 

The "torso" is the parts of the body from the neck to the hips, and 
contains all the vital organs. When all these parts are well developed 
and there has been no strain or injury to them, good health is always 
assured. Most gymnasium training is directed to the muscles in the 
arms and legs. This is wrong in principle; and it is wrong in fact; 
it yields undesirable results. Athletes as a rule are not healthy; most 
of them die before middle life, and generally of lung or heart trouble ; 
all indicating an inharmonious development. The exercises of this 
system will produce an harmonious physical development, and not like 
that obtained in gymnasium training, where the ability to perform vsome 
difficult feat is apparently the purpose aimed at. All physical training 
should be directed to a betterment of the health, and not to a base and 
ignoble purpose. 

While a large muscular development is desirable in the arms and 
legs yet that development must have a firm foundation on which to rest, 
else it is more than worthless - - it is injurious. If the torso is strong and 
well developed, other parts naturally get in harmony with that condi- 
tion; but if the vital parts are small, large muscles in the limbs that 
are developed in gymnasium training will degenerate to that condition 
which will harmonize with the vital parts, when the training stops. 
If the vital parts are large and vigorous, the limbs might be amputated 
and still good health enjoyed; but permanent good health is not possi- 
ble when the torso and its contents are small and undeveloped. 

While this system of exercises puts the muscles in the arms and 
legs to a strength test, the purpose in the arrangement has been to 
strengthen and invigorate the parts from which the fountain of life 
flows - - the vital organs. It is the writer's opinion that all physical 
culture movements should have as their ultimate object the strengthen- 
ing and vitalizing of the torso and its contents; for the torso contains 
the factory of vitality so far as the individual is concerned. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 73 
2 LEAF 139 f 

THE WAIST AND ABDOMINAL ]\]USCLES SHOULD BE 
DEVELOPED TO THEIR GREATEST STRENGTH. 

There are quite a number of very valuable exercises that cannot 
be taken with music; therefore they are arranged differently from those 
preceeding. 

It is a fact that weakness of the digestive apparatus is always asso- 
ciated with weakness of the abdominal muscles; and good health is not 
possible with poor digestion. A number of the exercises previously 
given will strengthen the waist and abdominal muscles, but not to their 
greatest power. The exercise under this Leaf, if practiced in connec- 
tion with the other waist exercises, will give sufficient strength in those 
])arts to insure a healthy condition there. 

EXPLANATION: Take a position flat of the back on the floor; 
enter- 'ace the fingers and i)lace the hands back of the neck. In this 
supine position, on count one rise to a silting attitude; on count two 
return to the f)Osition on the floor. Repeat until tired. 

It may be necessary to place the feet under some object to keep 
them from rising when you undertake to raise the torso to a sitting posi- 
tion. Care should be taken in beginning the practice of this exercise, 
else lameness is sure to follow. It is especially necessary for women 
to use caution in beginning the practice of this exercise. This move- 
ment has been dubbed the "stomach puller,"perhaps because it will 
pull the fat off the abdomen quicker than any other exercise. Many 
st(.ut [)eople have been able to reduce their waist to a normal size with 
this exercise alone. Another reason for that dubbing is that the exer- 
cise pulls very powerfully on the muscles about the stomach. It may 
be necessary at first to fasten a cord to the wall above so you can get 
hold of it to assist in rising to the sitting position ; but practice will soon 
strengthen the abdominal muscles so they will be able to pull the torso 
up to the sitting position. This exercise may be taken at night after 
retiring, or in the morning before arising. Very satisfactory results 
will follow a period of practice of this movement. 



74 THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

3 LEAF 140 f 

THE LUNGS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO THEIR FULL 
CAPACITY. 

Vitality comes to the earth in sunlight; and a Leaf from the Law 
of Oxygen states that oxygen is a carrier of vitality. Vitality enters 
the body largely through the oxygen we breathe, and with the oxygen 
_ in food and drink. It being true that the lungs are the chief means of 
getting vitality into the system, one can readily see the importance of a 
large development of those parts. The few exercises given herein faith- 
fully practiced will insure a healthy condition of those vital organs. 

EXPLANxVTION: Take a piece of clay pipe stem an inch long. 
First fill the lungs fall, place the stem in the mouth and slowly exhale 
for ten seconds. Repeat again exhaling fifteen seconds; and so con- 
tinue the practice until you can exhale for sixty seconds, or longer. It 
may take several month's practice to accomplish this. 

2 LEAF 141 r 

THE LUNG CAPACITY SHOULD BE 1.75 CUBICINCHES 
TO EVERY POUND WEIGHT OF THE BODY. 

Every other part of the body may be developed by gymnasium 
training, and yet the lungs remain undeveloped. This is because the 
method of training is wrong. The lungs should be given special exer- 
cises when other parts of the body are at rest. The old and exploded 
theory that a person should take such exercises as will compel deep 
I)reathing is still in vogue in nearly all athletic and gymnasium training, 
and this one fact alone accounts for the large percentage of athletes 
dying of consumption. The lungs should be trained and developed 
with exercises that tax their strength alone. 

EXPLANATION: Fill the lungs full; place the pipe-stem in 
the mouth and take in more air through the stem, packing the lungs as 
full as possible. This will rapidly increase the lung capacity. When 
the effort is made to take in more air, rise quickly on the toes. The 
lung capacity is measured with a spirometer. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 75 
^^^^^^^^ 
2 LEAF 142 f 

THAT PART EXERCISED THE MOST, ABSORBS THE 
GREATEST AMOUNT OF NUTRITION. 

The weakest part may be made the strongest by applying this Leaf. 
Daniel Webster, by making use of this jDrinciple, developed a i enor- 
mous cViest and lungs, though consumptively enclined in early life. 
Any one can do the same thing by applying the principle onvolved. 

EXPLANATION: Fill the lungs full, place stem in the mouth 
and forcibly exhale ail the air in the lungs. Repeat several times at 
each practice, getting the air out as rapidly as possible; though a, little 
caution should be taken on beginning the practice else soreness may 
follow in the apex of the lungs. 

2 LEAF 143 f 

VITALITY COMES TO THE EARTH IN SUNLIGHT. 

If you want to increase your vitality, breathe more fresh, vitalized 
oxygen. Increase the lung capacity to the normal size; then practice 
the following exercise the remainder of your days and thus add health, 
pleasure, and happiness to yoar earthly existance. 

EXPLANTION : Exhale slowly until no more air can be got out, 
then inhale slowly until the lungs are full and hold a few seconds. 
Take a few normal respirations as a means of rest. When out in the 
fresh vitalized air do not fail to practice the lo g exhalations followed 
by the long inhalations. The temperature of a sick person can be re- 
duced by practicing this exercise; if done where the oxygen is vital. 

The oxygen from sunrise to the midday has the best and mos-G vital- 
ity in it. At noon the vitality begins to wane, and 1)y nine o'clock r.t 
• night the air is practically dead; and all the physical world should b ^ 
at rest. The vitality in the forenoon is like that of fresh vegetables, or 
like the life of children at play, or that of young animals romping o'er 
the pastures green; while the vitality at night is like that of stale veg- 
etables, or the life of old age. 



76 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

TREE OF LIFE CLUBS 



It is the author's ambition to form Twelve Hundred TREE OF 
LIFK CLUBS to put to test the Leaves gathered from the TREE OF 
LIFE. Details of the methods and work to be done cannot be given 
in this volume; but the general plan is to have Honorary members, 
A-sociaie members, Active members, Local members. General mem- 
b 5is; all to be seekers after truth, and concentrating it in the TREE 
OF LIFE Library for the benefit of the human race. Think of the field 
of investigation under the Law of Substance! Millions of people ex- 
pend most of theirnervous vitality in digesting unwholesome food and 
therefore have no surplus energy with which to successfully accomplish 
the undertakings of life. The no-breakfast fad; the no-supper plan; 
the three meals a day habit; the five meals a day claim; the one meal 
a day benefits; the fast cure; the water cure; the grape cure; the meat 
diet; the non-meat diet; the vegetarian diet, and so on, will be tested 
and the conditions under which desirable results are obtained will be 
found out. Everything connected with food and drink must be thor- 
oughly tested and the conditions under which desirable results are to 
be hadmust be ascertained. 

Think of exploring the realms of New Thought! Under the Law of 
Sub-Consciouness we will prove the scic-nce of the mental fcense, and 
get at the truth of the Law that gavj b rth to the Christian Science 
church. The principles of Suggestion, mental healing, magnetic heal- 
ing, and the hypnotic influences, all come under the Law of Sub-Con- 
sciousness. 

Think of plucking Leaves from the TREE OF LIFE and apply- 
ing them through the Law of REPOSE to those millions of sleepless, 
restless, human beings who know not the sweetness of sound slumber. 

And so with all the Natural Laws. Each one will afford a large 
field for investigation; and when we can fully understand the opera- 
tions of each Natural Law, then we will know all the forces that effect 
human life. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 77 

The Law of Mentality, which is the first volume of the TREE OF 
LIFE Library, will be from the press in a few months and will contain 
the scheme in full, giving details for organizing, managing, experimen- 
ting, and investigating. The price of that book is One Dollar, and will 
be known as the Membership Book of the TREE OF LIFE CLUBS. 

Tiie Law of Activity, which is the present volume, will allord 
pleasure and amusement for the members at their regular meetings. 
There is nothing that can give the healthful recreation like a half-hour's 
drilling in the exercises contained herein. The price of this book will 
have to remain Two Dollars on a straight sale, owing to the fact that 
the music page costs five times as much as a page of reading matter; 
and then this book will grow in size until it contains one hundred Leaves 
from the Tree oi Life; but members forming Local clubs may obtain 
it at One Dollar; and others may get it for tht- same price if ten names 
of fri. nds who would likely be interested in physical culture are en- 
closed with the order. 

The time is almost ripe for a great advance m the piogress of the 
human race. You want to be in thac onward march with us. Each 
person possessing a copy of this book, or the Law of Mentality, may 
join us by forming a Local Tree of Life Club and thus be a sponsor in 
a great cause; and help usher in that golden age of which poets have so 
fondly sung and philanthropists so pleasantly dreamed. 

I£ you desire to join us simply state it in a communication address- 
to the main club in Minneapolis. Have your friends meet with you in 
the physical culture drills of this volume until the Membership Book is 
ready for delivery. 

All communications should be addressed to the 



TREE OF LIFE CLUB, 

p. O. BOX 223. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 



THE LAW OF ACTIVITY 

BOOKS IN PREPAHATIjOJN 



(Tree Of Life Liorary) 
THE LAW OF MENTALITY $1.00* 
THE LAW OF ACTIVITY $2.00 
THE LAW OF REPOSE 11.00 
THE LAW OF SUB-CONSCIOUSNESS $1. 
THE Lx\W OF LIGHT $1.00 
THE LAW OF OXYGEN $1.00 
THE LAW OF VITALITY $1.00 
THE LAW OF ENERGY $1.00 
THE LAW OF SUBSTANCE $1.00* 
THE CREATIVE IMPULSE $1.00* 
THE LAW OF GRAVITY $1.00 
THE LAW OF HEAT $1.00 

LIFE IN aLIjON 

OR 

THE POWER OF EXPRESSION $0.50* 
(Containing 100 Choice Recitations; Being 
Professor Watkins' Repertoire) 

EYE CULTURE $0.50* 

ANCIENT ASTROLOGY 

MODERNIZED and SIMPLIFIED $1.00* 

THE STORY OF A NEW CREATION $1. 

Send your name and address and a circular 
will be sent you when the books are ready for 
delivery. Address all communications to the 

TREE OF LIFE CLUB, 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. BOX 223. 

*These volumes will be from the press during- the 
winter of 1902, '03 



1^ 



I 



AUG 2 9 1909 



AUG 29 1902 



